Corporate & Hospitality

Djulbic’s Australian story

The Qantas Socceroos are as worldly as any national team across the globe and Bosnian-born, Emirates-based newcomer Dino Djulbic is case in point.

The Qantas Socceroos are as worldly as any national team across the globe and Bosnian-born, Emirates-based newcomer Dino Djulbic is case in point.

Djulbic-s Australian story is a unique, but not uncommon one.

Doboj - Djulbic-s birthplace - was a city that once lay in the centre of Yugoslavia; nowadays it-s part of Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Djulbic emigrated to Australia via Germany as a 16-year-old and would soon call Perth home - 14 years later he-s relishing the chance to wear green and gold in what would be one of the biggest matches of his flourishing career.

“It-s been a long time since I-ve started playing here, you always want to represent your country,” said Djulbic, who plays domestically with UAE outfit Al Wahda.

“I made my decision to represent Australia and not go the other way and play for Bosnia, so, it-s been a long time and I-ve waited for a long time, so eventually it came down and I-m happy to be here.

“There was some talk before (about playing for Bosnia & Herzegovina) and it was getting more intense before I decided to play here, but, I was always happy to represent Australia.”

Of the modern day Qantas Socceroos, several players share a story similar to Djulbic-s

Nikita Rukavytsya was born in the Ukraine, Eli Babalj in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Dario Vidosic in Croatia and Archie Thompson in the north of New Zealand.

Furthermore, with heritage linking most of Holger Osieck-s current 23-man squad with expatriate communities from all over the world, the cosmopolitan feel to Australia-s national team is unique in Australian sport.

On Tuesday evening, Djulbic hopes to add another chapter to his unique Australian story, having had his first taste of international football at December-s EAFF East Asian Cup qualification tournament.

“There-s a spot up for grabs (with Lucas Neill suspended), so I-ve come here and tried to put my case forward to the coaching staff,” said Djulbic.

“It-s up to them to decide who is in the best form.

“Now we-re here together and everyone-s just fighting for the spot, there-s a few players that play in the UAE and Qatar which probably know the Omani players better, because we play against them as well.

“(The EAFF East Asian Cup qualification tournament) was my first step to put my case forward and, I did, he (Osieck) came to watch me a couple of weeks ago in the UAE and I think I had a decent game, otherwise I wouldn-t be here.”

The Qantas Socceroos- road to Brazil recommences on Tuesday, 26 March at Sydney-s Stadium Australia with a crucial clash against Oman. Kick off is at 7.30pm AEDT.